Kanner (1943) – noticed children with the disorder did not associate with any one else but themselves

Autistic individuals are completely alone; they ignore anything from the outside world. 

Kanner said these individuals want to be alone with themselves ‘they have an inability to form the usual …… contact with people’

Autism not correctly diagnosed until 1980, it was often mistaken for childhood schizophrenia

Characteristics of Autism

Inability to form relationships with others -show no signs of attachment to parents, don’t like physical contact

Lack of spontaneous play – don’t engage in imaginative play.  Show signs of obsessiveness with objects plus form attachments to things such as buttons

Problems with language and communication – often repeat others

Obsessive routines – become distressed if their routine or environment is changed, even slightly. 

Cognitive functioning

– low IQ, but, excellent ability to memories things

Autism Explanations

Socio-cultural view: Family ysfunction leads to autism. Parents who are cold, obsessive, rejecting and disturbed can make their children autisctic.

*There is no evidence for this theory*

Autism Explanations

Psychological view: Cognitive impairment. Don't understand other people's perspective.

Autism Explanations

Biological view:  Genetics

                        Chromosomal obnormalities

                        Pre-natal or birth complications

                        Abnormalities in the cerebellum (controls co-ordination and                             attention). This may explain why autistics are unable to pay                            attention.